How Much Does Probate Cost in St. Louis County, Missouri?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in St. Louis County can expect.
What probate costs in St. Louis County, Missouri comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 105 South Central Avenue, Clayton. The court is part of the 21st Judicial Circuit.
Missouri charges $250RSMo § 488.012(3)(16)-(20); COR 021.01Verified May 14, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Circuit Court - Probate Division accepts e-filing (https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=50531). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Missouri sets attorney fees by statute — a percentage of the estate's gross value. Every attorney charges the same schedule, so the decision to hire one comes down to complexity, not price.
Executor compensation is also statutory in Missouri, typically 2%RSMo § 473.153(1) (statutory minimum: 5% first $5K, 4% next $20K, 3% next $75K, 2.75% next $300K, 2.5% next $600K, 2% over $1M; court may award more for extraordinary services). Schedule is computed on personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded from the base.Verified May 14, 2026 to 5%RSMo § 473.153(1) (statutory minimum: 5% first $5K, 4% next $20K, 3% next $75K, 2.75% next $300K, 2.5% next $600K, 2% over $1M; court may award more for extraordinary services). Schedule is computed on personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded from the base.Verified May 14, 2026 of estate value. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Missouri requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%RSMo §§ 473.157 (requirement), 473.160 (waiver by will)Verified May 14, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in Missouri typically runs 12 monthsRSMo § 473.050Verified May 14, 2026 to 18 monthsRSMo § 473.050Verified May 14, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 6 monthsRSMo § 473.360Verified May 14, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- RSMo § 473.050
- RSMo § 473.153(1) (statutory minimum: 5% first $5K, 4% next $20K, 3% next $75K, 2.75% next $300K, 2.5% next $600K, 2% over $1M; court may award more for extraordinary services). Schedule is computed on personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded from the base.
- RSMo § 473.360
- RSMo § 488.012(3)(16)-(20); COR 021.01
- RSMo §§ 473.157 (requirement), 473.160 (waiver by will)
Data sourced from Missouri statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For St. Louis County, that means filing fees ($250 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs $250 in St. Louis County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Yes. Missouri sets probate attorney fees by statute, so St. Louis County attorneys charge the same schedule as the rest of the state. Predictable, but often higher than hourly billing would produce for simple estates.
Missouri caps executor compensation by statute — the same schedule used for attorney fees in many states. Executors can waive this fee, which often makes sense for family members who are also beneficiaries.
Yes. Missouri estates under $40,000 can use a Small Estate Affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the Missouri self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of St. Louis County probate.
Circuit Court - Probate Division
St. Louis County
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone:
314-615-8029Fax:
314-615-8739
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Named as Executor
Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.
Learn more
Death of a Parent
Losing a parent is overwhelming. What needs to happen next — settling the estate, navigating probate, and the steps to move forward.
Learn more